VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE

I am pretty busy since morning, felt lazy too! It's twenty eight years I entered this home, became one like them, we hardly follow clock! I told you all, initially I had trouble to accept, then they ain't kinds who follow rules, except my father-in-law, he loved discipline though believes in personal freedom. How much of poles apart me and my mother-in-law are, she and her man built a happy home for their kids, taught them right values! My maiden home definitely taught us values, but there had been too much of discipline, us friends would visit the man's home every week to taste fun & freedom. Their home always lit bright with love, the door was open 24/7 for visitors, even if they didn't know what to cook the next day. 

Our father was fun loving, the reason why he was great friends with my Maa-in-law. Our mother championed discipline, academics, work. Till this day, the amount of energy she has is surprising, she can work 18 hours a day, so does man's sister! My brother & B prefer to follow my man, long back they don't follow rules of that home. I tell mother, let them rest over weekends, work life is draining. I expect people to be hygiene conscious, take regular shower, brush teeth, visit dental clinic every year. In the present day, mani, our mother eats lunch at 4 pm, me too somewhat like that without being productive like her. We are different nature-wise, I am a day dreamer, romantic, she doesn't know what romance is. However, we love to cook, mend our home.

My point of discussion today is the son, it's his birthday! Mumma used to cook a platter! Ever since he left home in 2020, I try to share in the blog something of his choice! Mumma went to temple this morning!

That's the real me! You can't force me anything. Today, I walked back home after having appam for breakfast! Last Tuesday, I let myself get drenched. I tend to fall, else I enjoy letting myself be, such exhilarating! Yesterday, I remained busy baking this diary-free VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE, wished to celebrate son's birthday with my readers!

Every December, he visits us but two-three days post his birthday, this year he wouldn't! It's a weird thing, whoever known people share their birthday with him are normal beings! What Astrology says I don't know, may be timing matters. I believe it half, it may not be science, full circle. Would my baby forgive Mumma's not that conventional self? She never stops her mind to traverse places, his father never accuses, my friend of over forty years!

The morning ray wrapped me with warmth, I couldn't enjoy more time, I needed to make temple visit! Cristine stood by me all smiles, I like her company! Tomorrow, I would call mani, in-laws, visit Hougang to meet my favourite girls. Before Xmas, I need go for beautifying my nails; Santa loves red! Son was only 7-8 years old when he told Santa is myth, I got he is photocopy of his father, grandpa! He bonds with Nono over Formula-1, computer games. Does he need mumma anymore? Am I required by anyone?

However, I enjoy every bit of this life! My dreams take me to lap of Himalayas! The moment I think of journey, I lose interest! I have vertigo, motion sickness, fear; I collapsed each time we travelled! Hill stations wouldn't be near aerodromes, railway stations! There is no point going if you do not savour the journey! Instead, roaming around this island is pleasure, thereafter, getting new recipes to world, getting to pen down my thoughts in the process is more of pleasure! Try this vegetarian cake with walnuts, I got in hand this gluten-free flour pack at the Mustafa Centre!

Few other interesting recipes from Blog can be GHOROA BANGALI POLAO, SPICED OATS COCONUT DATES CAKE, EASY SNACKER PUFF, LEFTOVER VEGETABLE STUFFED PAURUTIR SNACK! 

INGREDIENTS :

GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR MIX : 1 COFFEE MUG

CORN FLOUR : 1 TBSP

PSYLLIUM HUSK : 2 TSP

COCONUT MILK OR CREAM : 150-200 ML

FRESH ORANGE JUICE : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

BAKING SODA : 1/4 TSP

BAKING POWDER : 1 TSP

SUGAR : 1/2 COFFEE MUG [ADJUST AS PER YOUR TASTE]

OIL : 4 TBSP

CHOCOLATE : 2 BARS [I USED MEIJI'S BLACK CHOCOLATE BAR FROM DAISO]

VANILLA ESSENCE : 1 TSP

WALNUT : 6-7

PROCEDURE :

Take dry ingredients together in a bowl, give a good mix.

Blend together orange juice, coconut milk or cream, oil, sugar. Add it to dry ingredients. Beat well.

Take chocolate in microwave proof bowl, microwave for a minute in low heat, cool, add to batter. Beat well!

Grease cake tin with oil, place butter paper at bottom!

Pour batter. Tap on kitchen counter to level. Place walnuts atop.

Mine is convection mode microwave oven, I placed low height stand inside, preheated oven at 160*C.

Thereafter, I placed cake tin with batter atop stand, baked at 160*C for 30 minutes.

Once cool, transfer to a plate. Garnish as per your wish, I am poor at it, but the cake is tasting good, trust me!

FAMILY STYLE WINTER FISH CURRY

 3:58 pm Thursday; there ain't hard & fast rule that I need to write blogpost every week; I do it to unwind, what else to do? I can't believe I did not write blog for 8-9 months! I remember once poet Srijato told "I knew I cannot do any job, face interview board; I only can write; keep writing"! Anindya,lead singer of Chandrabindu told similar. I feel same, problem is their ability to play with words, vocals is great, I am average. I couldn't get ready a manuscript, approach a publisher, material is ready, my entire blog is material, lazy enough to format it. This personal space is dear, writing blog perhaps has become obsolete. As long as I am allowed to, let me. 

I am just back from RKM, it's Sarada Maa's birthday! Celebration started early morning, would continue until night. I forgot, my friends notified, I hurriedly went! Last year I couldn't, I was just back from hospital. Again on 1st January, I be there! I met someone most unexpectedly today after years, tragedy struck this family, they had to shift back to India for time being! I felt happy, they were on my mind always! Let me see if they allow me to share the pictures taken together. Many people we meet at different junctures in life, some leave strong mark in our hearts, this happens to me! I am getting old, I find it difficult to hold emotions, wish I could be strong, carefree like my men!

The spider webs on face have everything written about me, I hum Bollywood romantics with same emotion as I did decades back, time flies! I am romantic genre, can't survive without Tagore, Gulzaar Saab, even Ghalib! Our mother loves academically sound boys & girls too much. I share fondness for Bollywood with her, the man! When a toddler, I had to play Bollywood songs to make son eat, sleep; he did not stick to that later!

There is noise around, the swimming pool is under repair. I cannot tolerate noise, it's 5pm, they are wrapping up work, let me connect headphone, I can't stay without music. I listen to Southern Indian, Local Chinese songs when at marts without understanding lyrics. Trust me, I foot tap enjoying the music. Do not think of sequence of a song while listening, get lost in melody; else how would you soak in essence of music! Music in heart, Romance to me is like standing in middle of Orchard Road in heavy downpour wearing sari without anyone watching except one! That someone would notice me from opposite of road, come, hold my hand tight. That's isn't man, neither son; I am sure my man would utter "idiot", go for meeting straight, son would say "lame mumma ekta, tokey bhenge felbo", go watch television! This is what novels, movies since teen makes out of you at fifty five! Perhaps, there ever wouldn't be born another Gulzar, Tagore, Sunil Gangopadhay; I haven't met Nillohit, Sataru o Jolkonya's Sataru, the man at Derbyshire[?] who Jane Austen wrote about. If I try to initiate such discussions with Bossy, he would stop me in first sentence, ask me to go shopping next day, say that he wants to watch CNBC, Vir Dass, Fox Crime, Asian Network instead! I told he no more remains my best friend!

But we enjoy having such fish curries together, although this FAMILY STYLE WINTER FISH CURRY recipe is from my side of family! Man, Son, man's mother prefer fleshy big fish, I make my man eat less boney smaller fish! I can't eat fleshy sea fish varieties, Cristine became Bengali under my influence. His father, sister, her man enjoy smaller fish. Our boy eats less boney fish if mumma de-bones. Mumma misses those exercises, mothers who experience empty nest syndrome would understand me. Bhai, Bidisha too enjoy, our Mother's man too enjoyed! Let me treat all of you academically supreme guys & dolls with a gluten-free fish curry recipe from our mother's, grandma's kitchen on behalf of our mother! Earlier, fresh coriander, Hyacinth beans were available only in winter, these days I cook it throughout the year but with smelt fish, we do not get fresh smaller freshwater fish here! Let me continue with "Chalte Chalte Yuhi Koi Mil Gaya Tha", to stay put with "Nonor Maa"!

                             

INGREDIENTS :

SMELT FISH : A COUPLE OF

HYACINTH BEAN : 6-7

SMALL EGGPLANT : 3-4

FRESH CORIANDER : A BUNCH OF

GREEN CHILLI : 2-3

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

NIGELLA SEED / KALONJEE / KALOJEEREY : 1/4 TSP

BAYLEAF : 1

Oil : 3 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Clean stomach, head, scales of each fish properly! Wash thoroughly!

Marinate fish with salt, turmeric, red chilli powder, 1 tbsp oil, keep aside for 10-12 minutes.

Discard root ends of coriander, wash taken in a strainer, blend together with green chillies.

Cut eggplants, Hyacinth beans, wash, marinate with salt, turmeric!

Heat oil in wok, temper with nigella seeds, bayleaf!

Add the marinated fish, Hyacinth beans, cover cook at minimal heat for 2-3 minutes.

Gently turn over, add eggplants. Cook covered at minimal heat for 2-3 minutes.

Add 2 coffee mugs of water, cover cook at low heat for 8-10 minutes.

Remove cover, add fresh coriander-green chilli paste, gently fold in, simmer at low heat for 2-3 minutes. You may also add slitted green chillies!

Enjoy warm with piping hot steamed rice!

EASY STEAMED DELIGHT

 

The noise of continuous rain gets on my nerves, I don't enjoy. There is so much of gloom in the sky, on earth. But measured rain is blessings for farmers, we wouldn't blame it, nature is our source of sustenance! Seated in havens, we cannot even feel how dreadful can nature's fury get! I speak less about my concerns these days, there's no point unless we are of help. 

The world wouldn't understand your mental state, ups & downs, there isn't any point talking about feelings, the best we can do is to spread happiness, smile and not take pride, it's our duty towards mankind. Pity is something I don't wish to take even from close circle, it feels like an insult. I expect people to behave normal, friends not to keep me shrouded in mystery, come straight! It hurts when they don't! Anyway, I don't wish to get into any soup, be cause of trouble to anyone; neither would want to be doormat in a room full of friends, acquaintances. We can be good, and we should, not at cost of our self respect! 

I want to believe I have a home in this 1150 sq.ft. of rented space, that I can retire here before losing myself totally! I am skeptical about the surrounding, what's going on actually? This thought is scary! I turn towards activities I enjoy; cooking, music, good food get me calmness, peace!

I believe it is my idle brain that drags me into new mysteries, I have no deadline to meet, no care to give anymore, not required to mop, wash dishes, do household chores. Being cleanliness freak, I do not even run after Cristine to do it as per my choice, She is part of family until she parts with us, in our happiness & sorrow, she has right to feel at home. Hence, I take up cooking projects, read, sing, write, walk, swim; each one gets me pleasure. Any day, any moment we can push away people but for my kinds it is not easy to pull off once someone catches fancy; we keep them in radar, enjoy watching their activities! I suggest not to go near without invitation, that saves us from disgrace! There need be fondness both ways to meet at a point! The man, Sony Boy may be reading this piece! They are weird but fills my world with love, what is that little of empty space my heart holds I don't get!

The world needn't be harsh, it's already in pain, I see around much of venom. Amidst this, making low oil porota, taking up a baking project soothes nerves. I don't want the life my in-laws are living for decades, that is death. Neither I am active like our mother, she has exceptional level of energy, courage till date. I fight with her, also wish to feed her home bakes! She stays happily with her son & younger daughter from another parents, why to interfere? I don't expect people to understand me, or may be I expect, it's not possible for them to fulfil! Also, I cannot deliver what they expect of me, I cannot give away my entire being to world! Moreover, I want people in my circle to have a mind of their own, not overshadowed by others, I can only fit into my own shoes.

I am unable to fit in everywhere, my bad, so I tread alone! Kafka uses "so", but I heard a little girl say usage of "so" is not required. Anyway, some days I like going out with Cristine, with few friends. Me and my friends' thought process may not match, but the company, support they gave me when needed is unmatched! 

Yesterday, I and Cristine were at Tanjong Pagar! We had some work at 100 M Mall @ Tuesdae Solution, just opposite of it in Icon Village, we had dumpling soups. I loved that standard spiced Mala broth! 

 

                                           

Let me mention the names in social media forums, if that can get them more of business. I fear, my reach is too less!

Wanting to write a blogpost, I didn't go for walk, there had been severe downpour! When repair work of swimming pool would finish who knows, I miss! 

For Bengalis, December & January are months for making pithe-puli / steamed, fried, sweet, savoury snacks. We want only these for breakfast, lunch, dinner! I love those breakfast steams in Philippines, Kueh varieties of Malaysia, Indonesia! I fail to distinguish Indonesian cuisine from Malaysian cuisine! Each day, I would go through some recipes, smile if I find similarities with our pithe-puli. Entire Eastern India cooks steamed goodies, Southern India too! The rest can have these stomach friendly stuffs! Singapore is multi-cultural, we get more or less everything from every culture here!

More you age, more nostalgic you get about your culture. Memories get active including those you don't want to remember. I was may be 13-14 years old, when same age people "used" me to facilitate their associations, some actions I facilitated willingly, some against my will. I have forgiven thinking they were kids too, although I never could do what they did. I don't hold any bitterness on this day, just that I have freed myself from shackles after few decades. I won't disown them, neither hold special feelings for them, that's the current truth! All the chaos should end, some friends' relentless efforts to be my father, mother, this & that irritates me like hell, remain friends or spare me the ordeal. You better visit my blog, help keep it alive!

So, looking at variety of steamed breakfast goodies, I cooked this few ingredients EASY STEAMED DELIGHT! I used rice-flour, tapioca flour, brown sugar, jaggery, coconut. Wanting to make it vegan, gluten-free; I didn't use milk in this vegetarian snack! In that case, we have to use tapioca flour, else it gets hard, we ain't using baking powder, soda either. I am minimalist, must say using bit of toasted almonds added to taste. 

We have to have everything in right measure, you have aimed for high positions but do not wish to upgrade lifestyle, why? I am not asking you to take peer pressure but your family has some expectations from you, they have peer pressure too! If you are my pal, I would want you to be at par at certain stage in life, own minimal luxuries, how far you have reached gets measured by materialistic possessions. You possess but don't show off, that's my fundamentals. I ride bus, mrt, do not hesitate, we did not invest on property, instead on higher education of our only child, we take pride in that! May be we do not have enough to invest manifold, that's okay with me; you wouldn't see me in associations where discussing your man's number of cars, houses, bank balance is priority! I would instead try to get over my miser self, buy a fruit sundae, sit by sea, count waves inside & in front!

Oh! I love bowl of muri-narkol-badam-little of chanachur-onion-chilli-mustard oil!

INGREDIENTS :

RICE FLOUR : 1/3 TO 1 COFFEE MUG

TAPIOCA FLOUR : 2 TBSP

SHREDDED COCONUT : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

BROWN SUGAR : 2 TBSP [YOU MAY NEED MORE]

JAGGERY : 2 TBSP [YOU MAY NEED MORE]

SALT : A PINCH OR TWO

CHOPPED ROASTED DRY FRUIT : 1 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Take rice flour, tapioca flour, salt in bowl. Mix well.

Add shredded coconut, fold in well. 

Add warm water, little at a time to get a batter, neither runny, nor paste like!

Add sugar & jaggery, fold in well! Keep covered for 15-20 minutes.

Add 2-3 coffee mugs of water in your manual steamer with net stand, cover, keep heat at medium.

Use ramekin or bowl, grease with oil, fill half of each with batter.

Once water starts boiling, place ramekins with batter on stand, add chopped toasted dry fruits on top! 

Cover, steam for 12-14 minutes! Insert tooth pick to check if done!

I think I over cooked a bit! After few minutes, they come out easily. Enjoy fresh & warm with choice of beverage. If you reheat, place in a bowl of water that bowl with steamed goodie, steam for a minute!

PAN ROASTED SPICED ALOO IN AVOCADO

It's Sunday, around 8:25 pm, today's entire morning went planning, buying ingredients, executing this recipe! We enjoyed having it! 

 I dislike complications. I have security sitting with me on the couch although we ain't watching same, neither chatting, our areas of interest are different! That doesn't affect peace, a home built gradually over a period of twenty eight years! The son called today, most of the time he shouted at me, at least heard voice. Yet, why my mood isn't in place I don't know! It is not an attribute of menopause, mood swings is part of me since childhood! I still couldn't forget a five year old girl getting down the dance floor of Mary Immaculate School! She felt ignored whilst teacher who loved her most was few classrooms away! Sister Marilyn's utmost negotiations could not take me on stage! I remain same, I do not remember the day I bid her good bye! Sitting in Kolkata, we did hear entire Krishnanagar City witnessed her mortal remains being taken in procession, cancer took her away at age 30. My pre-school was spent on her lap, she used to visit our maternal grandparents' home with other nuns, they ran charitable hospitals, our maternal uncles were renowned wholesale medicine dealers. When we left for Kolkata, she gifted me finger ring, pendant with Jesus & Mary, I treasure! I have to wear them, get clicked! I have discussed about this angelic Keralite Christian earlier. I tried to be like her with my kids, couldn't inherit her poise, wisdom! I get caught in own thoughts, suffer, get angry, what not! But I am always ready to, willing to gift my readers good recipes!

It is 10:50 pm, local time! I need to retire to the bed. There is no winter here, but monsoon. I have noticed, like Indian winter, there is need for heavy moisturiser, lip balms, thin bed spread gets that cosy feel of winter, "ummm"! I am a morning person always, my eyes are wide open as early as 4:30am-5am, how late I sleep! In my side of family, we used to sleep early, wake up early. Once at man's home, I found everything different from mine. They had lunch at 3 pm, tea even at 10 pm was fine, dinner was at 11 pm. It took me time to adjust. One thing I must say, their home had fun all over, friends & relatives were welcome 24/7. The mother-in-law I was loggerhead with is no more hot headed, we would chat about our respective son's weird behaviours, the father-in-law is always easy going. 

It's Monday 10:40 am, I didn't take shower, do prayer; that doesn't give me comfort! I wish to write, wrap up, colour my greys, greying since young! Cristine anyway offers once to my God family, I offer two times. I forgot there's a monastery in the neighbourhood, nearer than RKM. I just want to visit, sit for long, that calms my mind! I am an over thinker, self doubted person, to worry is my pleasure & pain both, my soul easily becomes chaotic! Writing blogposts, learning favourite numbers, giving voiceover to recipes get me pleasure! I am back stage person, love those smart, accomplished who have reached where I couldn't! It hurts me if people question my intents, I just do not wish to be "kebab mein haddi", I don't wish to play extra's role in others' lives! I don't have understanding of surroundings, expect intelligent to come clear, tell me where I went wrong! I would be left with nothing if I quit social media, I do not have work life, also enjoy being known around bit! Off course, I wish for fame, have lakhs of followers! That requires skillsets I lack!

My fears are manifold. I fear I have put on weight, had an unhealthy breakfast this morning!

Okay, sweet orange is my favourite & healthy! I am not a cookie lover, neither buy! The man gets from office, he is off biscuits! I never ask who gave, he dislikes discussing office at home! When willing, he would! I am waiting for their Dine & Dance Event end of this month, for seven course Oriental meal, there's Indian option, why eat out what I can cook? 

Boh tea is to be made with milk, sugar! I rarely have, he doesn't touch, gets acidity! I need to wrap up, switch off music that is playing, I cannot multi task! It's such nice of Cristine, she wouldn't bother me unless I call her! We stay together all day, in our own spaces! She is twelve years with us, knows maam is lost case, entangled in her own thoughts always. I wish I could be as cheerful, with broad smile like others around. But No, melancholy rules over me! I have food on plate without earning a penny, a minuscule part of my savings is what I have earned working nine years! Son would be completing MS in few months, mumma need not guide him anymore! Yet, what gets me anxiety, sorrow I do not know! Why did I have to be sensitive, why I had to imagine, make up stories inside my head, then brood, feel sad, don't know! I cannot get overwhelmed, daydream about strangers I met once, twice in life! Is my man reading? I use this space not for recipes alone, but for honest confessions, to unload my heart, soul, mind; all same and enclosed in "Podi Pishir Barmi Baksho?" I wish to watch a movie of choice this afternoon instead of going for walk!

I personally don't believe in celebrating particular dates, everyday we should be thankful, every day is as beautiful as birthday / anniversary! Then, this world is not what I believe in! As food blogger, my wish, my job is to greet world with recipes relevant to the occasion! Today, our mother's "chalkumror pur bhaja" or mother-in-law's "moong dal-lau jhali" wouldn't work! We thoroughly enjoyed this vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free PAN ROASTED SPICED ALOO IN AVOCADO! A couple of recipes worked on my mind getting this spiced, yummy treat tossed in Bengali style roasted & ground spices! Cristine hates potato, loves avocado, what I cook on Sundays, I keep for her to have on Mondays! Have it on its own, serve it with baked breads, handmade breads! We ate an egg meal last night!

Few similar avocado recipes from my Blog are CHILLI AVOCADO BHARTA, AVOCADO COCONUT CHUTNEY & SESAME-CORNMEAL BREAD

INGREDIENTS :

AVOCADO : 2

POTATO : 2

FRESH CORIANDER : 2 SPRIG

GREEN CHILLI : 2

SESAME SEED : 1 & 1/2 TSP

LEMON JUICE : 2 TBSP

CORIANDER SEED : 1 TSP

CUMIN SEED : 1 TSP

RED CHILLI : 1

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 1 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Peel, wash potatoes, cut each into 4 pieces! Put for boil adding enough water! Drain water once 75% done!

Marinate potato with salt!

Wash, cut, scoop, mash avocado! 

Mince washed coriander, green chillies, add to mashed avocado, also lemon juice, salt! Fold in well.

Dry roast and grind white sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilli! 

Add spice powder to avocado mix. Fold in well!

Add 1 tbsp oil to pan, slow cook each side of potato until brown! 

Potatoes you may oven cook!

Toss potatoes in avocado mix, sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds on top, serve hot!

VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE SCONE

It is Sunday 4:55 pm, island time! Its raining inconsolably! I say inconsolably, to me a rain drenched sky seems weeping willow! Rain is poets' muse, great poetries have been written drawing inspiration from it! I am more into prose, I do have little of poetry inside me. Raindrops on my skin cause ripple on my mind, not expressive about it as poets. Rain causes me depression, clear signs of a melancholic self. I think I am born melancholic, not necessarily causal effect of abuse, torture. It gives me pleasure, helps me pen lines! I feel sick if I cannot write or sing often, for that we need not master the respective arts! In scale of 10, we need to score at least 5-6, else no point getting fore! I do not understand parents these days, they send kids to various activity classes, good enough to confuse them! This is wrong, ask what excites them, let them learn that with passion, they can master it or not that future would say!

In academics, 5-6 in scale of 10 isn't enough, present day world is competitive. 5-6 / 10 always had been average, that's my standard. Parents have to understand this category kids cannot achieve much in academic world, they have to be motivated into building other fruitful career graph. That's fine, wrong is to become me; laid-back, aimless, idle. I still could live life uninterrupted but present day world would not allow my kinds to survive. You have to be worth it, build yourself depending on your merit.

Rain calls for bhajabhuji / pakora / fries & fritters! I can happily do but  senior of men isn't a foodie. Post surgery, I avoid binging too! Talking about cooking, kitchen, food sounds unromantic. I know, but I am one happy cook; I cook, sing, write, go out for walks to shove off thoughts, involvements that have no outcome, destination! I have to keep myself sane.

We had choice lunch, though not Sunday like lunch! It is lentils-ridge-gourd-bitter-gourd, pointed-spine gourds fries, egg curry!

My breakfast was bread upma, tea, fruits!

I cooked minimal yesterday, the man was travelling, he wouldn't be there almost this week! The evenings get too boring for me, Cristine has her own life, I cannot bother her always! I do not watch tv much, the junior, monkey son wouldn't call home regular, what to do? Not that man & I chat all day, sitting on two ends of sofa gets me peace! We are watching Delhi Crime, Season-3 now, I would wrap up blogpost tomorrow!

This is Monday noon, 12.05 pm, Singapore time! The Sun & Clouds are playing hide & seek, same do I with myself, or may be I do not at all, I bare my heart to fullest[?]; I do hide, all of us do! Such lovely person I live with, he never asks why did you write this here, say that there, what's cooking in your life? After all these superlatives, if he doesn't take me to the Swiss Alps next year, I would get angry! Three of us would go, I would get clicked in finest chiffon sari! This is long standing wish, what else can you expect from an ardent Bollywood fan? Who would click me better, the son or man? Three of us should make it, once our beloved 4th makes an entry, we would travel separately! I am however far from my Divas, and here's my real self!

Bossy's premium choice wasn't me, I am his ancient friend, come on I know it all! Neither I am a saint! We built a happy home though, our temperament doesn't match!  Because my home is built on strong foundation, I can take liberty to roam around humming "tumhe ho na ho mujhko to itna yakeen hai..." When lyrics, music score strike a chord, it touches my soul. This is Runa Laila's best to me! I must learn this number, such fast paced!

I am not always day dreaming, Cristine gets me all news I miss! When we were enjoying, our friends in Cebu were fighting natural calamity! I messaged asap, thank God, they answered me back! I met Patrick & Susana back in 2009 on board ship, Patrick was chief mate, we bonded too well, went out together in every port! They visited us in Singapore when I just arrived! I have made an open invitation to them, they didn't come to us again, their both daughters got married by now!

Last night, I didn't wish to make roti-shoti, on such days, I cook frozen parathas I stock for such days! I buy Pran's or Dawn's. I am against buying frozen packs regular! I love cooking! Singapore is Asia, there are similarities, when I visit American supermarkets, the scenario changes! I do not know how desis can survive on fish fillets, artichoke, kale, bell peppers, pumpkin, tomato! Here I get in hand "pat shaak to chichinga", almost everything we grew up having! Even fresh tyangra, magur travel from Malaysia! Stall 81 of Tekka Market sells live Magur Mach! However, porota-mutton mince curry-avocado chutney makes us happy too!

This is confused self, more I write, contradictory you may find! I am. Let me wrap up, go for walk, sit somewhere, eat! I thoroughly enjoyed baking this VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE SCONE, it's also diary free! I liked having this vegetarian snack I have baked using tapioca flour, rice-flour, fresh coconut, a bit of baking powder, sugar, salt, coconut milk, oil! 

You can have it spreading butter, jam or honey or cream cheese on top, I loved having it as it is! Trust me and go ahead with the easy recipe!

Roughly inspired from a recipe seen in AI Overview!

 INGREDIENTS :

RICE FLOUR : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

TAPIOCA FLOUR : 4-5 TBSP

SHREDDED COCONUT : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

COCONUT MILK : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

BAKING POWDER : 1/3 TSP

SUGAR : 2 TBSP [I USED BROWN SUGAR]

SALT : 2 PINCHES

CINNAMON POWDER : 1 TSP

OIL : 2 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Of the few recipes I went through, I have taken sincere note from an AI Overview, funny, right?

Take dry ingredients in a bowl, fold in well.

Add shredded coconut, fold in well. Add coconut milk, little at a time! We need tight dough, smooth dough isn't required!

We would roll out dough thick, dusting clean kitchen top with rice flour or tapioca floor.

We would use cookie cutter to shape each! I chose this one.

We would place baking sheet on an oven proof plate! We would place uncooked scones on it, brushed tops with coconut milk!

Mine is convection mode microwave oven! I placed low height wired stand inside, preheated oven at 160*C.

Thereafter, I placed plate with uncooked scones atop it! I baked them @160*C for 20 minutes! 

Enjoy it warm with your favourite beverage! We can store it in refrigerator for sometime!